Aaron doesn’t interrupt me but lets me talk and
sob until I’m calm and I lay down on the couch,
still shaken up. Without my realizing it, Liam and
Jay are also in the apartment, sitting at a table in
front of me.
“What?”
“Everything’s fine, Erin.”
“Why are you all here?” I try to sit up but Jay
makes a gesture, encouraging me to stay as I am.
“We’re here for you.”
“For me?”
“I already knew, Erin,” Liam confesses. “Rain
told me. Please don’t be upset with her about it.
She was just worried about you.”
Well, I should have known it. Rain isn’t very
good at keeping things secret.
“You don’t have to worry about anything,” Jay
continues. “Everything’s going to be alright. And
whatever you decide, you have to know that we
are here and you can count on us. We’re always on
your side.”
I don’t understand what I did to deserve so
much support and encouragement. My lip starts to
shake, a sure sign of an incoming crisis, when
Aaron caresses my cheek and gives me a sweet
smile that opens the door to my tears.
“You’ll stay here as long as you want. And we’ll
